Australia’s scientists are at the forefront of investigating a confusing array of chronic illnesses associated with tick–bites. In this battle, countless patients have been withstanding a war against false diagnoses and a lack of effective treatments. In recent years, the term DSCATT—debilitating symptom complexes attributed to ticks—has emerged to describe the suffering experienced by individuals who report ongoing symptoms without definitive medical explanations. The federal Department of Health first coined this term in 2018, recognizing the profound difficulties that these patients experience.
Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites that obtain nutrients by feeding on the blood and tissue of animals and humans. As a result, they have become a “Rattler” hotspot for research and medical inquiry. In Australia, there are approximately 70 species of ticks, with 17 species known to bite humans. As persistence cases become more common, patients often find that routine blood tests indicate no infection. This is incredibly opaque, frustrating, and discouraging for anyone looking for answers. Add in the absence of the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and it gets even dicier. This bacterium, which causes Lyme disease around the world, has never been detected in Australian ticks. Consequently, local health departments may not favor the diagnosis of domestic Lyme disease.
Patients with DSCATT suffer from a multitude of ongoing symptoms. They complain of fatigue, joint pain, and neurological issues, which they’re certain is a result of exposure to ticks. Millions have learned the hard way to avoid a fragmented, confusing healthcare system that is often unable or unwilling to guide or serve them.
The Struggles of Patients with DSCATT
Those who experience DSCATT frequently experience extreme economic hardship as they struggle to find solutions to their serious health issues. In the process, thousands of patients squander their life savings on largely unproven tests and treatments, praying for the next miracle to deliver them from their burdensome symptoms. The emotional price goes beyond measure. Patients like Mr. Smith feel both frustrated and powerless as they struggle to find their way through the labyrinth of their disease.
“People bankrupt themselves to find treatment and get diagnosed,” – Dr. Schloeffel
It’s the confusion and ignorance surrounding tick-borne diseases that fuels this chaos. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) expresses concern that patients are not well equipped to “navigate diagnostic uncertainty.” Consequently, they are inevitably walking out of their appointments bewildered and with no clear proof for recommended treatments.
The 2017 Senate inquiry into tick-borne illnesses found that thousands of Australians are fighting to receive the treatment they need. It advocated for the reformation of the existing DSCATT clinical pathway and implementation of new guidelines that would more effectively meet the needs of those impacted.
Research Efforts and Developments
In response to the growing health crisis, Professor Irwin and his colleagues at Murdoch University received funding in 2019 to conduct research aimed at understanding the long-term effects of tick bites on Australians. To get an accurate read on immediate treatment experiences, the researchers sampled participants within 72 hours of a tick bite. They then followed up at one week, three months, and 12 months to help establish patterns or biological processes involved with their symptoms.
“We sampled people within 72 hours of a tick bite … and then again at one week, three months, and 12 months, with the idea we would monitor them for all sorts of things to try to detect patterns, biological processes, infections and so on.” – Research team statement
The research team has developed an intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to assist patients in managing their symptoms. This type of therapy acknowledges the illness as an embodied physical experience. It further enables everybody to manage the mental toll that comes with navigating chronic disease.
While these are all exciting strides forward, at least some medical professionals are skeptical about what DSCATT really is. There’s worry that the disorder is being misdiagnosed or mislabeled as a mental health disorder.
“People are concerned it’s being considered a psychiatric illness, and by extension, it’s ‘all in the head’ — that the illness is being hallucinated or people are making it up,” – Peter Irwin
Irwin firmly disagrees with this characterization. At the core of it all, it’s about acknowledging the legitimacy of patients’ realities and staying true to treating patients holistically.
The Broader Implications for Tick-Borne Infections
Ticks are vector for Rickettsia bacteria and several other pathogens. These are Queensland tick typhus, Flinders Island spotted fever, and Australian spotted fever.
Allergies are the most frequent negative reaction to tick bites. Reactions range from supportive to dismissive and frustrated. While many have mild, manageable responses that subside in a few days, others develop severe reactions that can result in life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Despite the challenges surrounding tick-borne diseases and related illnesses, some medical professionals believe that treatment options exist for affected individuals.
“I think tick-borne illness can be treated,” – Dr. Schloeffel
He emphasizes that for proper management of patients, their suffering must first be affirmed, which is of paramount importance.
“It’s just that you have to believe the patient is sick in the first place.” – Dr. Schloeffel
This concern is echoed by Professor Kanaan, who calls for a multidisciplinary approach to cracking complex health problems like these.
“As much as we’d like there to be a very simple explanation … it doesn’t seem to be that kind of problem.” – Professor Kanaan
